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As the weather gets warmer, more alligators have been spotted across the city of Huntsville.

Residents at Sunlake at Edgewater Apartments reported several alligator sightings in and around Lady Ann Lake over the past few days.  

David Sellers moved to Edgewater a few months ago but lived most of his life in Florida. He says because of his past, the idea of alligators running around his apartment complex doesn't bother him too much. 

But what does scare him is the possibility of children and small animals being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

“If (an alligator is) hungry they could get a dog or they can get a little kid and they can swallow them,� Sellers said. 

But generally speaking, Sellers believes alligators are more scared of us than we are of them.

“If you don’t bother them, they're not going to bother you,� Sellers said. “Don’t go up to them, don't feed them, don’t let them near you because they will probably go back in the water if they see you, but if they are protecting something you better watch out."

Several neighbors in the Edgewater apartments say just yesterday they saw an alligator about 8 feet long sunbathing just yards away from the parking lot. 

Dottie Frost, the Edgewater Owners Association Community manager believes there are about four alligators who reside in Lady Ann Lake and the surrounding waters.

“From April to June is mating season, so they could be a little more aggressive if you get close to their nest. Like, you’ll hear them kind of growl a little if you get too close,� Frost said. 

Frost tells Â鶹app signs were placed around the lake last year due to increased sightings. And this year, the alligators have only gotten bigger. 

“I have alerted Fish & Wildlife that they have gotten much larger and if there’s something we should do,� Frost said. 

Frost says residents ask her to relocate the alligators, but she says she has no authority to move the gators somewhere else. 

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says state laws prohibit killing, harassing, or possessing alligators. They say feeding an alligator is both dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators can overcome their natural wariness and learn to associate people with food. 

Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn, so they say people should be on high alert when near fresh water.

The ADCNR also says to keep your pets away from freshwater. Do not throw fish scraps in the water, and photograph alligators (if you have to) from a distance. 

The city of Huntsville gave Â鶹app the following statement about the alligator population in the city:

“Alligators are part of our urban wildlife population and mostly reside near wetland areas near the Tennessee River. Protected by federal and state law, alligators typically avoid human contact. The most important message we can convey is to leave them alone. Do not feed or try to approach or handle any urban wildlife. Should you have a concern, contact U.S. Fish & Wildlife for assistance.�

If you encounter an alligator that you believe poses a threat to people, pets, or property, click to find your local Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries office.